Louis Errede Obituary
Louis Anthony Errede, 93, of Wayzata, MN passed away peacefully February 10, 2017, at his home at Meridian Manor. The youngest of six children, he was preceded in death by his Italian immigrant parents Nicola and Maria (Marietta Martinelli) Errede, brothers Donato, Joseph, Anthony, Michael, sister Madeline (Neri) and wife Marion (Kanten). He is survived by his sister in law Helen (DApice) Errede of Middletown, CT, children Ellen Wells of Wayzata; Steven (Deborah) of Champaign, IL; Mark (Peggy) of Taylors Falls; Dawn (Bill Krause) of Plymouth; grandchildren: Rachel Errede (Chad Alleyn) of Vancouver, BC; Glenn and Laura Krause of Plymouth, MN; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Lou grew up in New Britain, graduating from New Britain Senior High School in 1941. With financial support from his siblings, he continued his education, initially at Teachers College of Connecticut. When a professor there told him not to return and to aim higher, he applied and was accepted at that professors alma mater, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. There he studied chemistry and mathematics until he was drafted by the Army in 1944 while in his last semester. He completed basic training, and because he had a talent for learning languages, the Army sent him to learn Japanese at the University of Minnesota. While there, he met his future wife Marion Kanten of Milan, MN. Lou served as a Japanese interpreter in the Pacific theater during WWII and was stationed in occupied Japan after the war ended, using his chemistry background to develop proper mixes of concrete to reconstruct airport runways. He received an honorable discharge in September, 1946, and he and Marion were married shortly after he returned from Japan.
Lou and Marion returned to the University of Michigan for a short while in 1947 to enable Lou to complete his B.Sc. degree in chemistry, and then moved back to Minnesota for Lou to begin graduate study in chemistry at the University of Minnesota. Upon receiving his Ph.D. in 1951, Lou and Marion, with infant daughter Ellen moved to New Jersey for Lou to start work at the M.W. Kellogg Company. The family moved back to Minnesota in 1957 with two more young children, Steven and Mark for Lou to start work at 3M. A fourth child, Dawn was born in 1961. From 1968 to 1973 the family lived in England before finally settling down again in Minnesota. The family traveled and camped extensively across the USA, Canada, and Europe. Once the children began their own lives, Lou and Marion continued to travel widely in Europe, Japan, Africa, Alaska and Hawaii.
Lou was a research scientist at 3M throughout this period of time, retiring in 1993. He was head of Physical Chemistry at 3M from 1963-68, Director of Exploratory Research at 3M Harlow Laboratories, UK from 1968-73, was a 3M Corporate Scientist from 1973-93, and a 3M Corporate Scientist Emeritus thereafter. During his 42 year-long career Lou published more than 150 research papers in leading scientific journals and received nearly 50 patents. In 1985, he was inducted into 3Ms Carlton Society, in recognition of his research achievements and contributions to 3M and science.
Family and friends will celebrate Lou's life in May 2017, with internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the American Chemical Society Scholars Program. The family sends a huge thank you to the Brighton Hospice Group and to all of the staff at Meridian Manor who loved and supported him throughout his final years.
Friends and family of Louis A. Errede are invited to celebrate his life at Sunday May 7, 4:30 pm in the University Hall of the McNamara Alumni Center:, 200 Oak Street S.E., Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Hourly parking available in the University Avenue Ramp: 1926 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis 55455. Refreshments and buffet supper around 5:30 pm, and socializing, story-telling and evening strolls to the Scholars Walk and Wall of Discovery encouraged.